Electrophysiology Application

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Applications of electrophysiology
Introduction
Electrophysiology is the study of electrical properties of tissues and cells. It is said to be the “gold standard”, when investigating neuronal signalling (Massimo Scanziani et Michael Häusser, 2009). Measurements are taken of the voltage change or the electrical current on an extensive variety of scales from a single ion channel protein (e.g. potassium channels) to large organs (e.g. the heart). There are many areas in which electrophysiology can be applied to.
Applications of electrophysiology
Electrophysiology can be applied to many aspects within the scientific field. It can be used during carotid endarterectomy, during cardiac surgery, during neurosurgical procedures, during endovascular procedures, Arteriovenous malformation resections, electrocorticography, intraoperative stimulation studies, and intracellular recordings involved in the electrical properties of biological cells (Delores Quinonez, 1998). A variety of techniques are needed to analyse these areas involved in electrophysiology.
Electrophysiology techniques
Electrophysiology can be measured intracellular (inside the cell) or extracellular (outside the cell). Depending on what electrical activity is being measured.
Intracellular recordings
Intracellular recordings take place when a measurement of voltage or current is taken across the membrane of a cell. It generally involves inserting an electrode into the cell and another electrode outside of the cell. To measure the membrane potential the electrodes are then connected to an amplifier either in response to a current injected through the intracellular electrode (current clamp) or this current is injected through the intracellular electrode; when the membrane po...

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...rophysiological characterization. Journal of the American Heart Association. 68 (1), 114-130.
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